Help!

[sacred]

I'm 19 years old and was caught stealing 9.00 dollars worth of stuff from (a store). they called the cops and i was arrested and fingerprinted and i have to appear in court. What is going to happen now?

 

[Betty3]

Get a lawyer & talk only to the lawyer. Since this was your first offense, ask the lawyer about ACD or diversion as plea options. Maybe you can take an anti-shoplifting class.

 

[army judge]

I'm 19 years old and was caught stealing 9.00 dollars worth of stuff from (a store). they called the cops and i was arrested and fingerprinted and i have to appear in court. What is going to happen now?

This is easy. You are presumed innocent, until proven guilty in a court of law.
So, you appear as directed, on the time and date as written.
You dress in business attire.
The bailiff will instruct everyone before court begins.
Do as instructed.
When your name is called, you proceed to the podium.
You'll be asked to plead, and you say, NOT GUILTY.
You'll be asked if you can afford a lawyer. If you can, you say yes. If you can't afford a lawyer, you say, no, and ask the court to appoint one to represent you.
Depending on what option you chose, do as instructed. Always say, yes yor honor, or no your honor. Be polite and be pleasant.
Try to answer yes or no, if not, be brief. Don't admit to anything, don't plead guilty, don't talk about that incident.
Speak about the incident only with your lawyer.
You'll be told when to return, then you leave.
Stay out of all trouble while this is pending, don't break ANY laws.
In a few months, if you're smart, stay out of trouble, you'll be surprised at your possible happy ending. Take it slow and easy.
What you want to get, is the best possible outcome.
No more questions here, as this will all take time to resolve.

A theft conviction will doom you for years, or even decades. Avoid that by doing what we've said will help ease the pain.

It's a good idea to get involved in ethics classes, anti-shoplifting classes, get counseling about not stealing, etc... Agencies like the Salvation Army, social services, social work agencies, etc... can offer information on them in your area.

Eventually, to get this cleaned up, you'll be required to complete those type courses, do community service, pay a fine, court costs, etc... They let you make payment arrangements, but it'll cost you 100 times (or more) that $9.00!!!!!

Don't ever think about doing this again, if you get a diversionary sentence. Essentially, a DO OVER, A MULLIGAN, A SECOND CHANCE. Also, you'll NEVER get this chance if you do this in the future!!